The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-05-26
sPOTTSYLvANIA.
sketch Of the Grand Charge Of IL Regiments OF
the "Angle."

the ssAngle.'
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Much has
been written about the terrific struggle at
Spottsylyania between the Army Of the Poto-
mac and the Army OF Northern Virginia. One
very important part of that battle seems 10
have been overlooked. both by historians of
the past and also those who I'll your valuable
paper from week 10 week. With your psrmis-
sion viii give to your readers an account Of
The first taking OF the Angle by Union
troops.
May 10, 1864, at about p. N. charging col
umn was formed In front of the Angle, COM
posed Of the following 10 picked regiments in
the order given; First line, seth Pa, l2lst N.
Y, 9th Me-; second line, 18th Pa 9th Me-, 9Th
Wis; third line, 43d and nth N. Y. aud 18th
Pa; fourth line I'd, 9Th and 9th VT. These
troops were formed under cover Of the timber
10y Gen. David Russell, commanding First Di-
Vision, Sixth Corps after Gen. Ill. u. Wright
bad been promoted 20 command the corps.
The column was led by Col. +. Upton, of the
l2lst n. Y, then commanding Second Brigade,
First Division, Sixth Corps.
While lying in the shelter Of the wood each
man was fully instructed as TO his duty. The
officers, all OF them, were directed TO repeat the
command I" Forward !" constantly from the be-
ginning of the charge until the works were
carried. The pieces OF all the men were loaded
and bayOnets fixed; those of the first line cap
ped. All who were there know how formula
BILE these works were. They were surmounted
by heavy logs 10 protect the heads of the troops
occupying them. In the rear, near the Scott
House, was a battery with traverses between
the guns While lying thus the Sixth Corps
artillery was keeping up a constant cannon
ade.
At precisely 6 o'clock the artillery ceased
firing, and as soon as possible the column moved
forward, or rather, three lines OF IT, the Yer
mont boys being held in reserve. With wild
cheer the troops rushed forward, and although
an awful flank and front fire was being poured
upon them, they gained the works and were
soon on and over them, reaching the battery
and spiking some Of the guns. J. w. johnson
and Thomas Hassatt of the l2lst n. ", re-
ceived severe bayonet wounds. Simeon Mann,
of Co. q, Of the same regiment, fell on the
works shot dead, but had rebel impaled on
his hayonet. So severe was this charge and
crossfire that Of the first eight in the front
rank Of the writer's company, three were killed
and four wounded. The killed were C. T.
Hodge, c. III. Cushing and j. G. Fuller; the
wounded were George Crippen, J. j. Smith,
i. A. Baldwin and S. II. Sherman. Others in
| the company were wounded and killed.
While on the charge Serg't T. c. Howland
was eomplimented by Col. Upton and promised
1 promotion. which he received few days after
The Vermont boys did not wait orders from
I AOl. plOn or zen. Russell 10 advance, Out bol
SeaNer who was i'm command, when he saw he
was needed came forward and mingled in the
battle. As our position was three-fourths Of q
mile in advance Of the main line Of battle, and
the support promised us not having arrived, we
had TO retire from the field. leaving most OF
ourdead and some Of the wounded Col. Upton
says in his report of the engagement to Maj
II. r. Dalton, A. A A.-G., First Division, Sixth
Corps:
Our loss in this assault WINS about 900 10 killed
wounded and missing. The enemy lost at least 10,
killed in the first ntrenchment while heavier los,
was sustained ia his efforts 10 regain them. We
captured between 900 and 200 prisoners and
several stands Of colors Capt Burhans. Of the 90
n. Y, had two stands OF cOors, and j. supposed 4
have been killed while coming back from the sec
ond line Of intrenchments. Many prisoners wer,
shot by their own men la passing over the oper
! field. Our officers and men accomplished all tina
could be expected 81 brave men and went forward
with perfect confidence fought with unflinchini
courage. aud retired only upon the receipt Of
written order. after having expended the ammuni
ton of their dead and wounded comrades.
My opinion Of that assault, in looking bach
over the past % years, is that had the promised
support arrived in time 10 protect our flank
the battle Of Spottsylvania Courthouse. Of MAJ
II, 1864, would never have been Fought. NJ
LovEJoY, Co. @, l2lst n. Y, South Valley, n. Y